CREATIVE SUCCESS NEWSLETTER NUMBER 36 - September 18,
2003
CREATIVE SUC^ESS NEWSLETTER
Gail McMeekin, LICSW
Career/Creativity Coach and Author
Mailto:gail@creativesuccess.com
http://www.CreativeSuccess.com
NUMBER 36 - September 18, 2003
SUC^ESS STRATEGIES FOR CREATIVE SOULS SERIES
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WELCOME SUBSCRIBERS
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This free newsletter goes to subscribers only and is sent out the
middle of each month. If you have missed any issues, you can have
them sent to you by following the instructions on my website
http://www.creativesuccess.com/info/news.html at the bottom of the
page. We just discovered that several Spam filters are blocking
the word "suc^ess" so if you have not been receiving this
newsletter regularly, check your filter. We are in the process of
redesigning my website and creating new products and services, so
stay tuned!
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NEW FREE TELECLASS
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In August, I had the good fortune to teach at and spend a
wonderful week with a spunky and talented group of women writer's
at the A Room of Her Own Foundation's first Women's Writing
Conference, which was held at stunning Ghost Ranch in New Mexico.
It was clear why Georgia O'Keefe had to make this spectacular
place her home, as the vistas and the rock formations inspire
reverence and awe. I had the opportunity to work intimately with
six lovely and gifted women writers and share with them my brand
new model to help you to dismantle your personal creative
obstacles. You can experience the benefits of this innovative
program in my free teleclass:
OVERCOMING CREATIVE OBSTACLES
Date and time: Tuesday, September 30, 2003 at 8 PM EST.
In this first class of a series, we will work together to develop
your Personal Creativity Statement which honors your creative
style and gives you the essential framework you needto focus on
visioning and achieving your creativity/career/life choices goals.
With this valuable learning tool, you can commit to a solid
foundation for your dreams and then move on to develop an
intuitive and passion-based plan of action. If you are feeling
lost or frustrated or are not committing to your own
personal/professional/creative development, this class will start
you on the right pathway. Too often, our creative wisdom gets
buried underneath the busyness of living, and we settle for less
in life. To initiate a new lifestyle filled with creative life
choices, you must step back and re-set your compass. Join us for
an exciting evening!
REGISTER today by sending an email to my virtual assistant, Liz
Murphy, at
mailto:virtualservices@earthlink.net with the word Teleclass in
the Subject line and she will reply with the bridge line number
and pin number. This call can only hold 50 people, so sign up
right away!
SPECIAL OFFER: The first 5 registrants will receive a FREE copy
of
the Artist's Sketchbook magazine, featuring writer's such as
myself, Julia Cameron, and Eric Maisel and loads of creativity
exercises.
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IN-PERSON WORKSHOPS WITH GAIL
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November 16th, 2003 Workshop: "The 12 Secrets of Highly Creative
Women", Learning Connections , Newton, MA. Contact
http://www.learningconnection-metrowest.com or
800-432-5520, $35.00
January 2004
"Creative Catalysts Workshop in Boston-- Join us for a 4 hour
workshop filled with art, writing, and group coaching which will
catalyze your creative process/project. Location and dates to be
announced.
April 2, 2004
"Recreate Your Life with Positive Choices" WorkshopNew
England
Reiki Conference and Expo, Holiday Inn, Boxborough, MA at 7 PM
Special program with fellow Red Wheel/Weiser author Christopher
Penczak
http://www.cgnaturalhealth.com
June 2, 2004 Women's Suc^ess Networkdetails to follow
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STRATEGY FOR CREATIVE SOULS #11: Negotiating with Confidence and
Know-how
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What I love about coaching and consulting with clients is the
privilege of helping people discover and achieve what they truly
want. Getting the vision together is the first step, but then
knowing how to communicate your plan and negotiate on your own
behalf is another critical skill-set in designing a life of
positive choices. Too often, we are afraid to ask for more,
fearing rejection or conflict, and do not resolve our "deal-
making" with comfort and contentment. For many creative types
and
small business owners, not creating a sound business for yourself
undermines the possibilities for your work. If you are employed
or
job-hunting, selling yourself short or not pushing for a
promotion, keeps you "underemployed".
Negotiation expert Ginny Rehberg has the following advice to help
you to avoid these pitfalls and start you on your way to becoming
a competent negotiator in your career or business:
1) Prepare for your negotiationstalk to live people as well
as
search the Internet to find out how similar people and projects
are priced. You need to know your value in the
marketplace.
2) Get your prospect to "fall in love with you" and experience
your value before you begin a negotiation process. Say something
like "I'd be happy to tell you about my services/product/fees/work
experience, but it would be very helpful for me to learn more
about you and your needs/your company first..."
3) Attempt to have the potential prospect/employer name their
price first. If they will not and you must quote a price, speak
in
terms of a range. For example, say "it seems that the market
for
these services/products/job is in the range of $60,000-80,000, and
I am comfortable in that range."
At present, women make 74 cents to the $1 compared to men. Some
examples: female lawyers make 11% less than male lawyers and women
cardiac surgeons make $159,000 a year less than men. The bottom
line: the average woman loses $440,000 over her lifetime due to
unequal pay practices. To address this inequity, Ginny has a
personal mission to help women make MORE money than men in the
future. Ginny is the owner of the Rehberg Management Group in
Newton, MA and can be reached at
mailto:career_doc@usa.net or by calling 617-964-5858 for
information about her outplacement and coaching services as well
as her career books.
Remember, you can use these same strategies for setting boundaries
with friends and family. Make a list of the monetary value of
housework, child-care, elder-care, decorating, etc., and recognize
the value of your time and skills. Relationships are the
cornerstone of a fulfilled life, but we need to learn to
orchestrate them with love, respect for differences, and
assertiveness. Then we can negotiate from a center of compassion
and strength. As women, we live longer and need to maximize our
potential! No one else will advocate for fairness and prosperity
in your life the way you can!
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CHALLENGE:
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1)Pick one issue that needs to be resolved this month to
negotiate with your boss, your spouse, your friend, your
neighbor, or your colleague or anyone else that you need
to work something out with.
2) Write down clearly what you want and detail all of the
components you desire.
3) Write out a script and then find a convenient time for both
of
you to discuss the matter.
4) Follow the above steps and let us know how you do! We love to
hear favorable results!
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CREATIVE ACTS AND RESOURCES
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GIFTED FEMALE WRITERS
I had the chance to meet some extremely talented award-winning
writers of note who were my fellow presenters at Ghost Ranch. I
highly recommend their work and encourage you to check your
local bookstore or on-line bookstore for the following authors:
Kim Addonizio, Rebecca Brown, Denise Chavez, Breena Clarks, Anne
Finger, Ellen McLaughlin, and Jennifer Tseng. Their work will
delight and inspire you.
ALABASTER CARVING IN TUCSON,AZ
Workshop: "Getting Stoned on Change: The Alabaster Carving
Experience" with C.Diane Ealy and Deborah Knox on 11/1/03 from
9-4
PM. In this workshop, you can expect to: Use your creativity to
master change and express your true Self, have fun learning a
safe, non-toxic process of carving and finishing a stone amulet,
and discover your next step in the process of embracing change.
Email Deb at mailto://dlkcoach@aol.com or call 520-529-6112. A
rare chance to learn creative process from two excellent
facilitators!
MANAGING CHANGE in TOPSFIELD, MA
This original and insightful 5 week group "Learning to Embrace
Change" supports both men and women in understanding the emotional
process of change, including the many conflicting feelings that
arise when we move from one way of being in the world to another.
This transition group is co-led by Gail Kauranen Jones and Brian
Connelly, both enlightened life coaches. Brian and Gail have
developed some innovative tools to guide you through the drama of
both career and lifestyle changes. To join this supportive group,
contact Gail at 978-887-1911 or Brain at 978-887-6023.
MANDOLA MAGNETS
Are you looking for a wonderful gift or give-away for your loved
ones or clients? These artful magnets each have a lovely colorful
painted scene and a unique affirmation. Sample affirmations
include "I sense and experience the sacred in the ordinary"
or "I
dance with joy to the fire within" or "I seek my true
path".
Attach them to your surroundings and revel in their wisdom. To see
the magnets and order them in bulk, go to
http://www.mandalagifts.com. I have them all over my office and
treasure their support.
FINALLY, A CALL TO ACTION
Get out and enjoy these precious days of fall with the brisk air
and luscious colors. Begin to gather together your creative
materials (art supplies, books, special objects, and like-minded
others) for those long winter evenings and weekends. This is also
a great time to gather a small group together and
collectively do all the steps and exercises in my two books The
12
Secrets of Highly Creative Women and/or The Power of Positive
Choices. Each chapter has a clear topic for a single meeting so
groups can be facilitated easily. Order the books today at
http://www.creativesuccess.com/store. By investing in your
creative soul this winter, your springtime will be full of
blossoms and bounty!
Creatively yours,
Gail McMeekin
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